Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2008. 754 pages. $22.99 ISBN 031606792x
Readers Annotation: Finally, the wedding of the century has arrived, but Bella's mortality is still a concern.
Plot Summary: The final book in the Twilight Saga wraps up all the lose ends from the previous three books. Finally, Bella and Edward get married in a small and sweet ceremony in Edward's back yard. The two whisk away to their own island where they have lots of romantic encounters. After a few weeks, however, Bella starts to get sick and soon realizes that she is pregnant. Edward, horrified at how stupid they were, rushes Bella home where she endures a very short, very difficult pregnancy. Secrets are revealed, attachments made, promises kept and half-vampire children are born.
Critical Evaluation: Although this isn't my favorite book out of the series, it is definitely number two on my list. For the hopeless romantic there is plenty of almost sex scenes, sexual vampire humor, cute little cottages and strange baby names. For the adventure seeker, there are plenty of battles, and of course the werewolves are involved. What I loved about this book is how Stephenie continues to mold her characters, Bella in particular. Throughout the series Bella ages about three years or so, and this is most apparent in Breaking Dawn. She learns she must be an adult, a married woman and a potential mother. She essentially steps up to the plate in this novel. There was some discussion after the book came out that many readers were disappointed in Stephenie's complete change of Bella's character, however I felt that Bella needed to change. After dating a vampire for two or three years off and on and being in the middle of a centuries old feud between two paranormal beings she never new existed, she must change and grow. She had to mature. Stephenie does a great job of tying up the loose ends of the previous novels and giving her readers a happy, albeit strange ending.
Information about the Author: Stephenie Meyer lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and three sons. The Twilight series is her first series for young adults. In the midst of her Twilight saga she also published an adult science fiction novel called The Host.
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance
Age Level: Ages 14 and up
Curriculum Ties: A possible tie in to folklore of all cultures, as they discuss vampire folklore of Native American, European and South American cultures in the series.
Book talking ideas: Discuss the intrigue of the series. Why does it capture your attention, if it does? How would you react if you found out someone you know was a vampire or a werewolf?
Challenge Issues: The sex scenes, although they are not really sex scenes, may cause problems for those who don't want their children exposed to anything sexual in nature. The birth scene is very graphic as well, which may be too graphic for some parents' liking.
Why I included it: I chose this book because I love the series. Since Stephenie is a Phoenix local (as I was), when Twilight first came out I was all over it. I've always been fascinated with vampire lore and how different authors create new ways vampires live. Also, the Twilight series is very big among teens and adults alike and it would not be a smart move to forget it.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Grahame-Smith, Seth and Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2009. 319 pages. $12.95 ISBN 978594743344

Readers Annotation: The world of the Bennett sisters has gone to the undead!
Plot Summary: All seems well in the village of Meryton, except for the fact that villagers continue to become zombies. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies follows the Bennett sisters in their quest for love and the defeat of the invading zombies.
Critical Evaluation: At first I was disgusted with the idea of altering an Austen classic in such a manner. However, after reading the adaptation and seeing the illustrations that accompany the text, I decided otherwise. What a clever way of getting people to read the classics. Although, their not really reading the true classic. It is, however, an interesting alternative to what some may call boring regency satire.
Information about the Author: Jane Austen wrote several successful novels that reflect her views on social life during her time. Seth Grahame-Smith has written How to Survive a Horror Movie, Pardon My President and The Big Book of Porn.
Genre: Horror, Parody
Age Level: Ages 15 and up
Curriculum Ties: An alternative when reading classics like Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Book talking ideas: Discuss whether Grahame-Smith was wrong in his adaptation of Pride and Prejudice or if his undead recreation was worth the read. Also discuss the sudden fascination of zombies, vampires and the paranormal and how that has affected the literary world.
Challenge Issues: The fact that Graham-Smith took a perfectly good harmless classic and turned it into a bloodbath make cause some parents to wonder at the sanity of the author and the librarian who includes it in their collection. However, I feel that it is an interesting parody of a great novel and a great example of how you can change a few words and it changes the whole meaning of the story.
Why I included it: I included this novel because zombies, vampires and the paranormal are very popular right now. I am also a big fan of Austen and found this parody very amusing, albeit graphic and just wrong.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Austen, Jane. Northanger Abbey. Signet Classic, 1996. 240 pages. $4.95. ISBN 0451526368

Readers Annotation: A nineteenth century classic, the gothic parody follows Catherine Morland as she transitions from her quiet life in provincial England, to the city of Bath and beyond into a world of suitors, frivolity, and mystery.

Plot Summary: At the age of seventeen, Catherine Morland is taken on her first trip to Bath with the affluent Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Allen successfully introduces Catherine to the fashionable party scene of England’s eighteenth century elite. After meeting handsome Mr. Tilney, flighty Miss Isabella Thorpe, and her over-zealous brother John, Catherine soon sees who she can trust and who just wants to advance in the ranks. She’s invited to Northanger Abbey, the hauntingly mysterious home of Mr. Tilney. She lets her imagination get the best of her, and after some great misunderstandings is sent away from the abbey. Will Catherine make up with her dear Mr. Tilney, or will the horrors of Northanger be to great?

Critical Evaluation: Northanger Abbey may seem like any of Austen’s romances, but her take on the Gothic movement proves to be exciting and often times hilarious. As with any classic novel, the language may prove difficult to master, but once the reader is submersed in the story the eloquent language becomes second nature. It seems that Northanger Abbey is one of Austen’s least popular novels, but shouldn’t be pushed aside. It is an interesting side to her writing, mixing gothic, satire and romance. Today’s teenage girls, if they don’t already enjoy period pieces, will be able to identify with Catherine as she deals with multiple suitors, an over active imagination, and finding love.

Reading Level: Due to the nature of Austen’s writing, mainly the vocabulary used, the reading level for Northanger Abbey should be fifteen or sixteen and up. It is marketed as adult fiction, but since the main character is seventeen, and is essentially a coming of age novel, I felt that it suited the fifteen to eighteen range.

Book talk ideas: Read a passage from the book, such as a description of one of the parties Catherine attends in Bath. Compare this with the nature of parties today. How different are they really? People dance, gossip, drink and eat, and there is always flirtatious behavior. Other books to read that compare would be Austen’s other novels.

Why it is included: I chose this book, again, because the main character is a teenager herself. The fact that the novel was written during the era it takes place ensures the accuracy of the historical details as well. Many teenage girls read Austen’s novels, but I seldom hear Northanger Abbey discussed. It seems to be often bypassed for her more popular works like Pride and Prejudice, which is why I thought to include it.

Challenge Ideas: There are no challenge issues.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Bray, Libba. A Great and Terrible Beauty. New York: Delacorte Press, 2003. 403 pages. $16.95 ISBN 0385730284
Readers Annotation: After the death of her mother on her 16th birthday, Gemma Doyle learns that she has magical powers and that her mother is not who she thought she was.
Plot Summary: Gemma Doyle grew up in India, although she always wanted to live in England like her parents did when they grew up. On her 16th birthday, Gemma begged her mother to let her go to school in England, but her mother forbade it. After running away in a fit of rage Gemma has a vision of her mother being murdered. She searches the city for her mother and eventually finds her exactly where she saw her in her vision, and she is dead. Gemma discovers that it was her mother's wish for her to go to school in England if anything should happen to her, so she is sent away to Spence Academy for Girls. While at Spence, Gemma makes friends with the popular Felicity and her sidekick Pippa, as well as the shy, future governess Ann. After a few art lessons with Miss Moore and impromtu history lessons of the warrior women who used to gather on the grounds, Gemma realizes that she must be part of the ancient order. She continues to have visions, and is visited in flesh and blood by Kartik, an Indian whose brother died in the attempt to protect Gemma's mother. Although warned not to use her growing powers, Gemma gives in to temptation and takes her friends with her into the Realms. In the Realms they can do anything they imagine, but it is only Gemma whose power flourish even out of the Realms. Gemma is forced to decide the fate of the realms, and essentially the fate of her friends.
Critical Evaluation: A Great and Terrible Beauty is an excellent fantasy with the perfect amount of adventure, magic and romance. The writing is particularly elloquent and seems to transport the reader back into Victorian England. Bray does a fantastic job describing the emotions and feelings of Gemma with the loss of her mother, the drug abuse of her father, her mixed feelings for Kartik and the uncertainty of the magic she holds. Bray also presents teen girls with an empowering female character who may have special powers, but must deal with growing up like any teenage girl.
Information about the Author: Libba Bray completed the Gemma Doyle trilogy and is soon coming out with her new young adult novel, Bovine. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their son.
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance.
Age Level: Ages 14 and up
Curriculum Ties: Can be included in a unit that discusses folklore or that of Victorian England.
Book talking ideas: Discuss what it would be like to have magical powers and be able to enter into other realms. Are the issues Gemma deals with in Victorian England that different than what teenage girls deal with today?
Challenge Issues: The ideas of magic may be a concern for some parents.
Why I included it: I included this book because Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors. The Gemma Doyle series has a big online following as well.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Donnelly, Jennifer. A Northern Light. Harcourt, Inc., 2003. 396 pages. $8.95. ISBN 0152053109

Readers Annotation: In an attempt to forge her own life and dreams, Mattie takes up residence in an inn only to be engrossed in the mystery of a murder.

Plot Summary: The recent high-school graduate Mattie loves to write and has hopes of going to college in New York City. At her mother’s deathbed, however, Mattie promises to take care of her family. In order to help raise money for the family she takes a job at a resort in the Adirondack Mountains where she becomes involved in the mysterious death of Grace Brown. Before taking a boat on the lake with her fiancé, Grace gives Mattie a packet of love letters and asks her turn burn them. When Grace turns up drowned in the lake, Mattie decides to read the letters and soon realizes that her death was no accident. In the midst of the murder mystery, Mattie tries to follow her dreams, but is greatly crestfallen when her father forbids her to take a much-earned scholarship. As the story unfolds Mattie must decide whether she will follow her dreams or live the life her family expects of her.

Critical Evaluation: This award-winning novel certainly lives up to its hype. Donnelly creates a character that seems a reflection of the author, a lover of words. At the beginning of each chapter Mattie learns about a new word, and so does the reader. The difficulties Mattie faces with her family and her future are those that a teen today may end up facing, which makes this book suitable for teens fifteen and up. Her desire to pursue her dreams is not unlike many teens today, and not all teens have the opportunity to take a deserved scholarship. Donnelly’s portrayal of a real murder case and the plight of young women at the turn of the century make this book a great choice for historical fiction of this period.

Reading Level: Suitable for ages fifteen and up, although younger teens with a higher reading level would enjoy it as well.

Book talk ideas: The opening chapter would be a great selection to read. Discuss the value of words and the idea that a great writer is also a great reader. Due to the subject matter (murder) and time period (turn of the century) I would also suggest Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books, especially for boys, but also The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath for those interested in characters who writer but have difficulties attaining their goals.

Why it is included: I chose this book because of the many awards and nominations it has received, including the many “Best Book” lists it is on. In 2004 it won the Michael L. Printz award.

Challenge Issues: The aspects of the novel that may seem controversial include the murder of a young woman and possibly the fact that the female teacher Mattie looks up to smokes. As with all historical fiction I would be ready to argue that these are a reflection of not only the true story of Grace Brown, but also the time in which it takes place.

Style Remix DVD

Style Remix DVD
Style Remix: 21+ Fashion Projects. Little Rock, AR: Leisure Arts, Inc., 2007. 100 minutes. $19.95 ISBN 1601405618
Readers Annotation: More than 21 projects to revamp your wardrobe and create your own style.
Plot Summary/Critical Evaluation: Style Remix is an instructional DVD that includes projects of all kinds to create a unique wardrobe using what you already have. The hosts are friendly and informative and give great directions. The projects give great examples of what can be done but also give tips on how they can be changed and personalized. The projects are fun and up-to-date, no out-dated early 90s scrunchies here! There are ideas for purses, skirts, and many other fashion pieces.
Genre: Arts and Crafts, Fashion
Age Level: Ages 12 and up
Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a home economics class for extra instruction on crafts and sewing.
Book talking ideas: Talk about the many ways they can express themselves. Fashion is one way to express yourself that everyone will see and can be changed everyday. A great way to personalize your fashion and express yourself is by altering what you have and creative something totally new.
Challenge Issues: No challenge issues.
Why I included it: I included this instructional DVD because there seems to be a big DIY movement through teens and 20s. There are many websites the give tips and patterns on DIY projects, and a DVD is a great addition to any arts and crafts collection.

The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn

The Minister's Daughter by Julie Hearn

Hearn, Julie. The Minister’s Daughter. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005. 263 pages. $17.99. ISBN 0689876904

Readers Annotation: After frolicking with a boy in the village, the minister’s daughter finds herself with child. She cons her sister into helping her blame the cunning woman’s granddaughter Nell of witchcraft.

Plot Summary: Grace and Patience are seen as the well-behaved daughters of the new town minister. No one but Patience knows of her sister’s frolicking with Sam, a boy in the village. Soon, Grace finds herself with child and realizes that Sam will never be honorable and marry her. She must get rid of the child, so she goes to the village cunning woman. Nell knows her grandmother’s mind slowly slipping away, even more so when she gives the wrong ingredients to a man in need of a purge. When Grace comes looking for a way to rid herself of her child, Nell turns her away when she learns the child is a sacred Merrybegot. To get her revenge for Nell’s refusal to help, she cons her sister into helping her make quite a scene. They scream, thrash, spit pins and remain bedridden all in the name of Satan and his helper, Nell. Going back and forth between Nell’s narrative, and Patience’s confession many years later, the reader learns both sides of the story when the sisters accuse Nell of witchcraft.

Critical Evaluation: The first time I read this book I listened to the audio book. Maybe it was the way the narrator read and the voices she gave to the characters, but I didn’t like it. I decided to give it a second chance for this project however. Reading it again I decided it was an excellent reflection of what a cunning woman’s trade is like, and the risks involved. I was not expecting the fae to be mixed into a period piece about witchcraft, but for some reason it didn’t seem to take away from the reality of the story. After thinking about Nell’s point of view, I realized she would have fully believed in faeries, and would have many beliefs that Christians of the time would have taken as superstitions. The ignorance of the minister’s daughters was frustrating in contrast to the simplicity and happiness of Nell’s life despite her grandmothers deteriorating mind, at least before their accusations began. I appreciated Hearn’s attempt to bring light to the other side of the witch trials. She attempted to give a voice to those who did live as Nell and her grandmother, and the reality of the Christian influence of the time forcing Pagans to practice their beliefs in secret, often times forcing them to abandon it altogether.

Reading Level: This book, due to the subject matter, best suits high school age readers although the reading level would suit that of a middle school reader.

Book talk ideas: I would read a selection of the book; one of the girls’ “episodes” would reflect the book well. I would discuss that many of the women accused of being witches were falsely accused. I would suggest Newes from the Dead to as an alternative.

Challenge Issues: The portrayal of the cunning woman and her granddaughter, as well as other pagans, could cause some people to take issue with the book. In response to this I would argue that these were beliefs of people not only at the time the book takes place, but also in modern times. It is unfair to exclude such beliefs just because one religion disagrees.